Abstract: Acid dye stain-resistant fibers which are formed from a polyamide composition containing a mixture of a masterbatch concentrate, a fiber-forming polyamide and a polymer, the masterbatch concentrate including a carrier and a reagent having the formula: wherein Q and Z are moieties which associate with free acid dye sites in the polyamide, a is an integer from 0 to 2, b is an integer from 1 to 4, and R is an alphatic, aromatic or alicydic hydrocarbyl group. The carrier can be a terpolymer, a semi-crystallic thermoplastic polyester or plyamide having a melting point of about 235° C. or less, or mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A multicolored effect yarn for use in carpeting includes a core yarn which exhibits substantially zero twist and is formed of a multiplicity of BCF singles yarns, at least one of which has a different color from another, and which are entangled at first and second frequencies of entanglement points and different degrees of entanglements, and a wrapper yarn helically wrapped around the core yarn and has a lower denier than any of the singles yarns.

Abstract: An acid dye stain-resistant fiber-forming polyamide composition comprising a fiber-forming polyamide and a reagent, at least a portion of which associates with free acid dye sites in the polyamide, thereby disabling the acid dye sites in fibers formed from the composition from taking up acid dye stains; a masterbatch concentrate for addition to a fiber-forming polyamide to form an acid dye stain-resistant fiber-forming polyamide composition comprising a carrier compatible with the fiber-forming polyamide combined with an amount of the above reagent in excess of that desired in the acid dye stain-resistant fiber-forming polyamide; as well as fibers and articles of manufacture prepared therefrom.

Abstract: Blending of thermoplastic polyester with fiber-forming polyamide in the production of melt-colored melt-spun fibers results in improved color strength and aesthetics, and dimensional stability.

Abstract: An acid dye stain-resistant fiber-forming polyamide composition comprising a fiber-forming polyamide and a reagent, at least a portion of which associates with free acid dye sites in the polyamide, thereby disabling the acid dye sites in fibers formed from the composition from taking up acid dye stains; a masterbatch concentrate for addition to a fiber-forming polyamide to form an acid dye stain-resistant fiber-forming polyamide composition comprising a carrier compatible with the fiber-forming polyamide combined with an amount of the above reagent in excess of that desired in the acid dye stain-resistant fiber-forming polyamide; as well as fibers and articles of manufacture prepared therefrom.

Abstract: A process for combining singles yarns, of different colors or dyeabilities, to form an apparent twist yarn. The process includes the sequential steps of individually and simultaneously drawing and texturing a plurality of singles yarns; converging the drawn and textured singles yarns through an air jet entangler that simultaneously entangles and tensions the yarn bundle; twisting the singles yarns in the yarn bundle about each other in alternate, or otherwise patterned, S and Z directions.

Abstract: A method of producing a stain-resistant and soil-resistant polyamide yarn comprises the steps of (a) melt compounding a sulfonated aromatic acid with a thermoplastic polyester or polyamide carrier resin to form a concentrate; (b) adding said concentrate to a fiber-forming polyamide to form a fiber-forming polyamide composition; (c) melt extrusion spinning said fiber-forming polyamide composition to form a yarn; and (d) drawing said yarn.

Abstract: A process for combining single color feed yarns, either dyed or melt pigmented, without twisting or heat-setting, to form an apparent space-dyed yarn product. The process includes the sequential steps of individually and simultaneously drawing two or more pre-spun, pre-colored singles yarns, at least one of which is differentially colored with respect to the other yarns; individually and simultaneously texturing the two or more yarns; individually and simultaneously entangling the two or more textured yarns in a first air-jet entangling process to form respective two or more entangle-sequenced yarns each having sequences of entangled and unentangled fibers; together air-jet entangling the two or more sequences of entangled and unentangled fiber yarns in a second air-jet entangling process to form a final apparent space-dyed yarn; and winding up the final apparent space-dyed yarn.

Abstract: Acid dye stain-resistant fibers which are formed from a polyamide composition containing a mixture of a masterbatch concentrate, a fiber-forming polyamide and a polymer, the masterbatch concentrate including a carrier and a reagent having the formula: wherein Q and Z are moieties which associate with free acid dye sites in the polyamide, a is an integer from 0 to 2, b is an integer from 1 to 4, and R is an alphatic, aromatic or alicydic hydrocarbyl group. The carrier can be a terpolymer, a semi-crystallic thermoplastic polyester or plyamide having a melting point of about 235° C. or less, or mixtures thereof.

Abstract: The use of a sulfonated salt polyester ionomer resin in a colored, drawn polyamide or polyester fiber results in improved color strength and appearance. Sodium sulfo isophthalate polybutylene terephthalate copolymers when melt blended with colorants and subsequently used to make melt spun synthetic polyamides or polyesters fibers are shown to enhance color strength in drawn fibers.

Abstract: A fiber-forming polyamide composition contains a fiber forming polyamide and a sulfonated polyester concentrate, the concentrate disabling and dye sites in the polyamide so that fibers formed from the composition will have enhanced stain and soil resistance. The sulfonated polyester concentrate contains a reagent, preferably an alkali metal salt of 5-sulfoisophthalic acid, and thermoplastic polyester, preferably one or more of PET, PTT, PBT, PETG and poly(ethylene terephthalate-co-isophthalate).

Abstract: A process for combining dyed or melt pigmented textile denier accent yarns in small yarn sizes, into a small building block carpet denier bundle to achieve a face yarn bundle having a wide range of special color effects and appearance, not attainable by manufacture of multi-colored carpets from carpet denier fibers alone. The carpet denier singles yarns are drawn, textured and air-jet entangled. At least one textile denier singles yarns, which is preferably a yarn having some degree of orientation, is then entangled with the carpet denier singles yarn, and the bundle is then wound up. The final yarn bundle may contain one or more fiber types, as well as at least one anti-static filament. The two types of singles yarn, i.e., the carpet denier and textile denier types, optionally have the same or different fiber cross-sections.

Abstract: An acid dye stain-resistant fiber-forming polyamide composition comprising a fiber-forming polyamide and a reagent, at least a portion of which associates with free acid dye sites in the polyamide, thereby disabling the acid dye sites in fibers formed from the composition from taking up acid dye stains; a masterbatch concentrate for addition to a fiber-forming polyamide to form an acid dye stain-resistant fiber-forming polyamide composition comprising a carrier compatible with the fiber-forming polyamide combined with an amount of the above reagent in excess of that desired in the acid dye stain-resistant fiber-forming polyamide; as well as fibers and articles of manufacture prepared therefrom.

Abstract: The use of a sulfonated polyester ionomer resin in a colored, drawn polyamide or polyester fiber results in improved color strength and appearance. Sodium sulfo isophthalate polybutylene terephthalate copolymers when melt blended with synthetic polyamides or polyesters are shown to enhance color strength in drawn fibers. In addition the sulfonated polyesters reduce color strength variation in colored fibers made with different batches of colorant. Water insoluble sulfonated polyester ionomers are preferred.

Abstract: A fiber-forming polyamide composition including a combination of a fiber-forming polyamide with a concentrate having one or more sulfonated aromatic acid reagents in a thermoplastic carrier resin. The concentrate preferably comprises an alkali metal salt of 5-sulfoisophthalic acid, preferably carried in a matrix comprising one or more thermoplastic polyesters or polyamides.

Abstract: A masterbatch concentrate for addition to a fiber-forming polyamide to form an acid dye stain-resistant polyamide includes a carrier and a reagent, the reagent having the formula: and can be an alkali metal, an alkaline earth metal or a transition metal salt of 5-sulfoisophthalic acid. The carrier can be (A) a terpolymer of an alpha-monoolefin, ethylene -&agr;, &bgr; unsaturated carboxylic acid ester and an internal anhydride of an ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid. It can alternatively be (B) a semi-crystalline thermoplastic polyester, (c) a semi-crystalline thermoplastic polyamide, or mixtures of (B) and C).

Abstract: A process for combining single color feed yarns, either dyed or melt pigmented, without twisting or heat-setting, to form an apparent space-dyed yarn product. The process includes the sequential steps of individually and simultaneously drawing two or more pre-spun, pre-colored singles yarns, at least one of which is differentially colored with respect to the other yarns; individually and simultaneously texturing the two or more yarns; individually and simultaneously entangling the two or more textured yarns in a first air-jet entangling process to form respective two or more entangle-sequenced yarns each having sequences of entangled and unentangled fibers; together air-jet entangling the two or more sequences of entangled and unentangled fiber yarns in a second air-jet entangling process to form a final apparent space-dyed yarn; and winding up the final apparent space-dyed yarn.

Abstract: A fiber-forming polyamide composition contains a fiber forming polyamide and a sulfonated polyester concentrate, the concentrate disabling and dye sites in the polyamide so that fibers formed from the composition will have enhanced stain and soil resistance. The sulfonated polyester concentrate contains a reagent, preferably an alkali metal salt of 5-sulfoisophthalic acid, and thermoplastic polyester, preferably one or more of PET PTT, PBT, PETG and poly(ethylene terephthalate-co-isophthalate).

Abstract: A process for combining dyed or melt pigmented textile denier accent yarns in small yarn sizes, into a small building block carpet denier bundle to achieve a face yarn bundle having a wide range of special color effects and appearance, not attainable by manufacture of multi-colored carpets from carpet denier fibers alone. The carpet denier singles yarns are drawn, textured and air-jet entangled. At least one textile denier singles yarns, which is preferably a yarn having some degree of orientation, is then entangled with the carpet denier singles yarn, and the bundle is then wound up. The final yarn bundle may contain one or more fiber types, as well as at least one anti-static filament. The two types of singles yarn, i.e., the carpet denier and textile denier types, optionally have the same or different fiber cross-sections.

Abstract: An on-line color monitoring and control system and method includes feeding of colorant in a given amount or ratio in order to achieve a desired color of a product. The system and method described here achieve reliable on-line color control of synthetic fibers, single moving yarn (or fiber) or a collection of moving fibers. The color characteristic of the product is sensed and processed to generate a control signal for adjusting the amount of colorant being fed. Color measurement takes place either prior to or after spooling of the product.